Elbert Anderson (1745-1813)

He was a well-known cabinet-maker who became a merchant of distinction and served in the War of 1812 as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Militia. He owned valuable real estate in New York City and real estate in Bergen, New Jersey, including at least two farms. He made a fortune as an army contractor. During the War of 1812, he won an army contract to supply meat to the 6,000-troops stationed in New York and New Jersey. At Troy, New York, he purchased beef and provisions for the army, from Ebenezer and Samuel Wilson, the latter of whom was familiarly known as Uncle Sam. Through the mark "E. A.-U. S." on Mr. Anderson's boxes of army material finally arose the sobriquet of "Uncle Sam," as indicating the Federal Government. His surviving children included: Cornelia (wife of Rev. Edward Mitchell); Mary (Mrs William B.B. Young, accountant); Eliza (Mrs Samuel Cowdry, Counsellor-at-law); and his youngest daughter, Judia Anderson (unmarried in 1813).